Chapter 276 Entering the City (5k4)
Red Maple City Church? shelter?
Thomas had some doubts in his head, but he quickly realized it.
The priest in front of him named "Maiyev Sevier" seemed to have called the players "refugees" before - that may be some kind of background setting, for example, their "descendants" were far away due to the war. This is a very reasonable development for refugees and the like who have fled here.
And the priests in front of them also said that the empire they were in seemed to be at war with the "Dark Principality"! This made Thomas more convinced that his guess was correct.
——This is the sense of substitution! Thomas, who has rich experience in RPG games, has already silently figured out the rest.
It seems that the fortress city at the end of the field of vision is the so-called "Red Maple City", and the Church of Red Maple City is the first extraordinary force that their players will encounter! Thomas was looking forward to it and decided to follow Mayev into the city to see what happened.
The majority of players have the same idea as Maiyev, but there are also a small number of players who don't like this "forced plot" and are ready to take action. But after thinking about the two players who had been beaten up by the cleric Maiyev before, he suppressed his desire to die first.
What these players are thinking about now is...
——I can't beat him again and again. Even if all the players come together, I'm afraid they won't be able to wipe out even a drop of blood from "Mayev Serves"... Why don't we go to the city with him first to see the situation? If you can complete tasks, level up, and gain extraordinary powers in the city, it will not be difficult to escape when the time comes...
Forbearance! The main thing is to be forbearing!
The players had their own plans in mind, but no one jumped out to attack Maiyev and other priests.
After that, Thomas watched Maiyev get on his horse again, and the other clergymen he brought came behind the "refugees" and formed a triangle surrounding them.
The priests "escorted" these "refugees", moving slowly on the battlefield on the gravel plain, and arrived at Red Maple City about half an hour later.
…
Red Maple City Church, Glory Church, inner courtyard.
In the Bishop's Holy Seat, Luo Xiu was in the Holy Cultivation Room, paying attention to the movements in the [Player Forum] and [World Channel], while watching the scene returned by the foggy shadow of the "Shadow Raven" in the foggy night.
Shortly after the closed beta started, Luo Xiu had roughly confirmed what changes would happen to his panel after the [closed beta].
Luo Xiu, who has a player panel, also unlocked [Player Forum] and [World Channel]. He could see the players discussing something enthusiastically inside, but he couldn't post or comment in person.
Because he is still an NPC in essence. He only controls some functions of the player panel and does not have the so-called "account uid"... This is like the "you can only comment after logging in" on many platform websites in the previous life. Now he can I can see the content, but "can't log in" status.
Similarly, he can also summon the UI interface of "God's Destiny", but all options are in a (gray box, crossed out) state, and he cannot "exit the game".
However, Luo Xiu has long been accustomed to this world. He just made a small attempt, and it doesn't matter if the attempt fails.
After the closed beta starts, the most important change is the newly unlocked [NPC exclusive template].
[List of NPC exclusive templates——]
[Display template control, enabled]
[Task publishing function has been enabled]
[Favorability adjustment, turned on]
[Technology/skill teaching, already enabled]
[Propose transaction function, already enabled]
[Organization/force function, enabled]
【……】
He unlocked many new functions, most of which were no different from the "NPC functions" Luo Xiu had guessed.
For example, "display template control", which can modify the displayed character panel within a certain range, is mainly used when players use the detection function on NPCs.
In fact, the only things that can be modified by "Display Template Control" are the name of the display and the content of "active display".
If the level difference between the player and the NPC is too large, or the gap between the "Perception" and the NPC's "Resistance" attributes is too large, the player will not see anything in the detection results except the name displayed by the NPC.
But if "active display" is set up, players will be able to see the content without meeting other prerequisites.
Luo Xiu had nothing to "actively display" for the time being, but he made some changes to the name displayed on the panel, changing the default "Luo Xiu Durant" to "Luo Xiu Carlos."
After that, if you want to contact players as Shengyuan "Shura" again, then change your name again on the panel... Luo Xiu planned this.
In the "task release function", he can personally formulate commissioned tasks for players.
According to the NPC level of Luo Xiu's current "Leader NPC", he can issue tasks of "Nightmare" difficulty and below to players, and the task rewards can also be adjusted within a certain range, ranging from 1 to 50,000 experience points.
But this also has some limitations - the experience value rewards for issuing tasks to players are not generated out of thin air, but require 10% of the overflow experience value under the current NPC level to be paid in advance. In other words, if the reward for the "Nightmare" difficulty mission released to players is set at 50,000 points, 5,000 points will need to be deducted from Luo Xiu's own experience. Although this will not make Luo Xiu "downgrade", it does require careful consideration.
But of course there are ways to deal with this, and Luo Xiu has already prepared a solution for this - "Spring of Spirituality"! All it takes is a certain method to make players willing to "tribute" the experience gained. In order to achieve this goal, some other preparations are needed.
As for the other functions, "favorability adjustment", "technique/skill teaching", etc., they are just like their names, and there is not much complexity.
However, the factory-new NPC templates have independent settings for these functions. Luo Xiu has also linked them, setting up the functions of completing commissioned tasks to increase "favorability", and "favorability" is bound to "technique/skill teaching", to "trading", and so on.
After completing all these settings, Luo Xiu returned his focus to the "Adventors".
Under his instructions, almost half of the church's clergy had left the city to bring back those "suspicious refugees."
The locations where those "coming ones" arrived were relatively remote. In Luo Xiu's memory, no natives had discovered them when they first arrived.
In other words - the church is 100% sure that it will be able to make "first contact" with these players who "arrived" outside Red Maple City. This is the advantage of Qianzhan.
Looking at the scene transmitted back by the fog shadow, almost all the priests sent out have made contact with the "Adventors" and brought them back to Red Maple City.
Then, it’s time to proceed to the second step…
While consolidating the plan in his mind, Luo Xiu stood up from the desk, left the holy seminary, and walked outside the bishop's throne.
…
Thomas and other players, led by the cleric Maiyev, have arrived at the gate of Red Maple City.
While being escorted to Red Maple City, Thomas and several other players who were immersed in the experience tried to ask Mayev some questions.
Later, they discovered that the "Priest" in front of them was not as solemn, majestic and unattainable as he seemed. On the contrary, Mayev was actually quite talkative and answered all the questions raised by the players.
Thomas learned some relevant background from Mayyev’s mouth.
The Nolan Empire where they were located was engaged in a "Judgment War" with the neighboring "Dark Principality". Red Maple City, located on the border of the Nolan Empire-Songyuan Territory, was one of the frontline fortresses in the Trial War.
Today's situation in Red Maple City is quite serious. There is a dark army outside, waiting for opportunities to move, and there are various enemy secret organizations lurking inside, which may cause damage to the city at any time.
But in such a severe situation, the "three major stations" of Red Maple City - the Red Maple City Church of the [Glory] destiny, the side court of the [Supreme] destiny, and the Fangbeiyuan of the [Intellectual] destiny worked together to stabilize the situation. , smashed the enemy's conspiracies time and time again, and preserved Red Maple City to this day.
And Mayev belongs to the Red Maple City Church of [Glorious] Destiny—the church priest he follows is called "Roshu Carlos", who is the strongest among the three extraordinary beings who reside in Destiny. .
While listening to Mayev talking about this, Thomas was also thinking about other things.
...In other words, [Glory], [Supreme] and [Intelligence] are the three imperial families that the first-time user can choose from? Hmm... I don't know if there is any other way of life...
When Thomas was thinking about this, the panel naturally appeared in his mind and he opened the [Player Forum].
Sure enough, someone has already posted a sharing post about the discovered destiny paths - someone has already learned about the [Lost], [Ku Tu] and [Red Lotus] destiny paths, but these three destiny paths seem to have been established as illegal in the empire.
At this time, Maiyev was showing some certificate to the guard on duty at the city gate. While Thomas was waiting, he switched to the [World Channel] in his mind and chatted happily with the players around him——
"It turns out that this is Red Maple City. I wonder if I can trigger any main missions?"
"It should be okay, I've never seen an open game that doesn't give main tasks..."
"really"
"Upstairs, Hunyou is missing Brother A"
"Indeed" "I'm more curious, is there a way to become extraordinary after entering the city?"
"really"
"I think [Glory] may have a very strong destiny? Everyone saw it, right? The priest just threw the big brother with the ID of 'Zhui Feng 666' into the ground?"
"really"
"I'm done with it, I'm almost done with it..."
"Jia Lou, the essence of human beings is——"
"really"
"..."
Thomas watched the players chatting with interest. Soon, the cleric Maiyev had completed negotiations with the guards, came back, and said to the players:
"You can enter the city."
"After entering the city, don't look around, and don't leave the team. I will take you to the church first to get new clothes and food."
After saying that, Maiyev walked towards the city. The players followed him and looked around without taking his words to heart.
…
Medieval-style houses on both sides slowly appear in front of the players.
Because of the war, the owners of many houses have fled to other places. This has caused thick dust to accumulate on the windows of many homes, and most of the potted green plants placed on the windowsills have withered.
However, even though there was a depressing atmosphere in the city, the guarding soldiers still carried out patrols in pairs and meticulously.
Occasionally, pedestrians wearing civilian clothes can be seen walking on the streets. Their faces show fatigue, but their eyes still have hope, and they have not lost motivation for life.
Thomas recalled that the cleric Maiyev did say that "the situation in Red Maple City is serious", but he also said that under the leadership of the three major garrisons, the city has made great achievements again and again in the enemy's terrorist attacks. A victory.
What came into Thomas' field of vision was the real appearance of the city at this time, which made Thomas think vaguely.
Of course, he soon saw the homeless man leaning against the wall of a house with a dejected look on his face and swirling a bottle of wine in his hand.
"...My home is gone...My house has been destroyed!" The wanderer half-murmured and half-shouted with his eyes blank.
"War...hiccup...damn war...how could those guards let the enemy sneak in like this! They have obviously been defeated time and time again...how could there be waves of enemies sneaking in!"
"Have all the taxes we paid been fed to the dogs!...Hiccup."
"My house... Wu... My house... Hiccup... That is the house that three generations of the Boltan family have worked hard and saved for! Wu..."
"..."
Thomas saw the homeless man lift the bottle and take another swig.
The alcohol content seemed to be quite high, and the tramp had already begun to stagger.
Not long after, the patrolling guard spotted him and trotted over. Cursing, "Damn you, what are you talking about?", he grabbed his arm and carried him away.
Thomas looked at the back of the homeless man being carried away, and then at the cleric Maiyev. He didn't seem to have any emotions about this, and he still had that serious expression on his face.
"What happened?" Thomas then walked a few steps quickly and came to Mayev's side and asked.
As a player, he was not emotionally invested in what he saw, he just wanted to know more about the background so that he could become familiar with the possible plot.
Mayyev glanced at him and said calmly:
"Half a month ago, the 'Executioner' of the Dark Army sneaked into Red Maple City, led Black Fang and the Tiger Leaders, and caused serious damage to a large area of the city."
"The man just now was originally the eldest son of the wealthy businessman Mr. Boltan. After his father passed away, he left him a house in nearly half a street, and young Boltan made a living by collecting rent."
"However, because he had been idle for a long time and had a relatively stable and high income, little Boltan became addicted to gambling. Under the temptation of his friends, he lost almost all his real estate in underground gambling halls."
"Before the war started, he only had one house left. He originally planned to sell the house, rent a house somewhere else, and rely on the savings from selling the house to live, but the war suddenly came and the enemy invaded Hong Kong. In Maple City, his remaining house was demolished into ruins."
"Then - as you saw, little Boltan collapsed. He first ran to the city lord's mansion and made a big fuss, accusing the guards of slacking off in their duties, causing the enemy to find a way to invade, and then demanded compensation from the mansion for all the properties owned by his ancestors. money, including the ones he lost in gambling.”
"Unsurprisingly, he was kicked out of the mansion. After that, he came to the church and asked us to come forward to 'trial' Lord Nelson's crimes, and we sternly refused."
"But we didn't drive him out directly. The precepts of the 'Holy Court' and the teachings of the High Priest all told us to be kind to people in difficult situations. We originally wanted to introduce him to a relief center and help him find a job. "
"Haha, I didn't expect to see him here again."
"..."
Thomas was a little surprised. He didn't expect that a simple question would make the cleric in front of him say so many words.
However, he did understand the general background from it.
After listening to Mayev's words "immersedly", Thomas felt that his understanding of the plot had deepened.
…
While Maiyev and Thomas were saying this, they were also moving in the direction of the church.
Finally, in Thomas' vision, a solemn and solemn cathedral appeared.
It was a cathedral with a similar Gothic style. The spire reached into the sky, and the majestic facade was divided by vertical lines, making it appear tall and straight.
The church's porch is broad and solemn, the stained glass windows shine with dazzling light under the sunlight, and the icons on the stone carvings on the walls are lifelike, exuding a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.
Maiyev led the players into the church and to the inner courtyard.
On the outside of the vast courtyard inside the church, there is also a curtain of light flowing with golden flowers. That seems to be some kind of barrier? Thomas tried to detect it, but couldn't detect anything at all.
The players saw "Priest" Mayyev walking in front of the barrier.
He raised his hand, his eyes flashed with golden light, golden light patterns appeared on the back of his hand, and his fingers gently touched the surface of the light curtain.
——Buzz! The light curtain flashed with water-like ripples, and the golden light flowing on it gradually faded, and Maiyev walked in.
"Come in, I have lifted the 'Yujin Barrier'." Mayev then turned back and said to the players.
The players then walked into the inner courtyard and looked at everything around them curiously.
In addition to many sacred buildings that felt similar in style but could not be named, Thomas also saw many clergymen, who were walking solemnly through the inner courtyard, busy with their respective duties.
Thomas conducted detection on those priests and found that most of them could indeed detect relatively complete results. All priests have [Brilliant] fates, and most of them have first or second fates. We have not yet seen people like Mayev who cannot detect the multiple fates.
This shows that Maiyev should be at least a clergyman with "threefold destiny"! Thomas guessed that the "high priest" they were following should be the "fourth destiny"!
In addition to the novel buildings and priests, Thomas soon also saw other players who "arrived" near Red Maple City.
Those players are also guarded by "priests" before and after them, and a group of dozens of players has gathered in dozens of piles in the inner courtyard.
The priests brought them to a magnificent statue shining with golden light. There was an altar. Thousands of players had gathered around it, all of them seemed to be waiting for something.
"Come with me." Mayev's voice then sounded in Thomas's ears, and the clergyman in front of him also led them to stand around the altar.
"What are they waiting for?" Thomas asked Mayev.
When this question was asked, Thomas observed that an expression of reverence and piety appeared on Mayev's face.
"Lord Luo Xiu Carlos." Mayev said solemnly, "That is the 'high priest' of the church, and he is also the person we follow devoutly."
…
(End of chapter)